Apparatus for the formation of diagonal strand metallic patterns



Jan. 19, 1932. RILEY 15842 121 APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS Filed Jan. 17., 1929 5 Sheets-Shee l Jan. 19, 1932. F. B. RILEY 1,842,121

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS Filed Jan. 17, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MW 1 M QEVAMT Jan. 19, 1932. F. B. RILEY 1,842,121

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS Filed Jan. 17, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m vemr @M/W f Jan. 19, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR THE F. B. RILEY 1,842,121

FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS Filed Jan. 17, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 19, 1932. RlLEY I 1,842,121

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS F iled Jan. 17, 1929 5 Sheets-Shes 5 Jan. 19, 1932 FRANCIS B. RILEY, F NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF DIAGONAL STRAND METALLIC PATTERNS Application filed January 17, 1929.

The present invention relates to a new and improved form of apparatus for welding or otherwise bonding spaced metallic strands into patterns having particular .utility for grilles, reinforcement, fencing and other purposes.

The present invention relates particularly to an apparatus adapted for the production of patterns consisting of spaced metallic 1o strands extending diagonally of the length of the pattern. In the form of pattern usually produced, two sets of diagonal strands are employed, the strands of each set being successively introduced into the pattern at opposite edges thereof and progressively Worked into the pattern to extend diagonally upon completion of the pattern completely thereacross. According to the present invention, the apparatus is intended to maintain the several sets of spaced strands in proper relationship both to the pattern and to one another, and While so maintained, to weld or similarly unite the strands at some or all points of intersection.

I accomplish this new and novel result by providing means for guiding and maintaining diagonal strands in proper spaced and angular relation, there being either two sets of diagonal strands extending in different directions in a manner to intersect, or a set of longitudinal strands combined with one or more sets of diagonal strands, or cross strands combined with one or more sets of diagonal strands with or without the longitudinal-strands. While the assembled strands are maintained in a predetermined relationship, they are automatically engaged by intermittently operating mechanism which welds and permanently unites the strands at points of intersection. Thereafter the strands are released by the welding mechanism and advanced to position the next series'of intersections in operative relation to the welding mechanism. During this intermittent ad- Vance of the pattern, diagonal strands, if two sets are emplo at opposite en s of the guide mechanism in g Y timedre'lation to the advancingfabric. I In the simplest and most efficient form-"ofthe 50 invention yet devised, the guiding of the ed, are successively entered Serial No. 333,216.

diagonal strands and the longitudinal strands, if these are employed, is accomplished by cooperating guide rolls rotating in close proximity and each provided with a helical guide groove for one set of diagonal strands. Diagonal strands are progressively entered at their leading ends at opposite ends pf the guide rolls and there-after, during the lntermittent rotation of the rolls, are advanced with the pattern while the guiding point of each strand, due to the rotation of the roll, is traversed across the pattern, the rear end of the strand engaging with the guide roll at the opposite side of the pattern from that at which the strand started.

This type of machine produces in a rapid and eflicient manner a diagonal strand fabric having particular utility not only for all purposes where ornamental grilles are employed, but for uses where strength and resistance to distortion strains are required, the incorporation of the diagonal strands within the fabric or the use of two sets of diagonal strands with one set of cross strands producing a pattern of-str-ands running in three different directions and resisting strains in any direction.

A still further feature of the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantage of which Willbe obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention,

Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of a machine embodying the features of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section in elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating primarily the mechanism for operating the helically grooved guide rolls and imparting lateral movement thereto;

Fig. 4 is'a detail illustrating another View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

' Fig. 5 iso detail illustrating a section of one. of" the welding electrodes withthe co operating positioning fingers;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the electrode bar with two sets of electrodes and fingers carried thereby;

Fig. 7 is a partially diagrammatic View showing the manner of contact between the Welding electrodes, the positioning fingers and the spaced strands; and

Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, illustrate a view of the patterns which may be produced in an apparatus of the type disclosed.

The machine shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises essentially mechanism for guiding a plurality of sets of spaced strands extending in diagonal relationship to one another, with cooperating means operating intermittently for welding the two sets of strands together at points of intersection. Combined with the guiding and welding mechanism is provided mechanism for intermittently introducing into the pattern throughout its length strands extending transversely thereof. As indicated more particularly in the drawings, the machine comprises essentially a frame 10 having oppositely-disposed sides 12 between which are pivoted at 14: and 16 upper and lower crossheads 18 and 20. These crossheads are supported, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, by oppositely-disposed arms 22 and 24. The two crossheads are moved toward and from one another in unison by a single mechanism comprising a rotary cam 26 engaged by a lever 28 pivoted at 30. The lever is connected to the lower crosshead through one or more links 32 con nected to the lower end of the supporting arms and cooperating with the arms to provide a toggle for raising and lowering the crosshead 20. The lever is connected to the upper crosshead. through an adjustable connecting rod 34:,- a second lever 36 pivoted at 38, and a link 40 cooperating with the upper arm to provide a toggle for moving the crosshead 18 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the crosshead 20. Each of the crossheads carries a bar 42 of insulating material having a series of welding electrodes 44 carried thereby. The electrodes upon the upper and lower bars are positioned in register as indicated particularly in Fig. 1, to insure proper welding engagement when the bars are moved toward one another.

The construction for supporting and mounting the separate welding electrodes is shown more particularly in Fig. 5, this construction being common to all the electrodes on both the upper and lower bars. As indicated therein, the electrode 44 is-detachably mounted upon the lower end of a sliding plunger 200, which operates within a metallic bushing 202 positioned within the insulating bar and retained by a set screw 204. The electrode is normally maintained in what may be termed an outer operative position by a spring 206 surrounding a reduced portion 208 oi the plunger and interposed be tween the plunger proper and a retaining nut 210, threaded within the bushing or sleeve. The upper end of the member 208 is provided with terminal nuts 212, which determine the movement of the electrode under the action of the spring, and serve as a connection for the current conductor. Lubrication may be supplied to the interior of the bushing or sleeve, if so desired, by the duct or vent 214.

It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 5, that the lower end of the Welding electrode is grooved or recessed at 216 to receive the strands engaged thereby, the alignmentand confirmation of these recesses depending upon the angularity, shape and size of the strands being employed. Obviously, the electrodes may be adapted to the use of different strands by a simple replacement.

It is of importance that the strands be maintained in a predetermined position with respect to one another at the points of intersection through which the Weld is to be made, and to this end a series of positioning fingers 220 are grouped about each electrode in the fashion shown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive. As indicated more particularly in Fig. 7, in forming a pattern consisting of three sets of strands crossing at a common point of inter section, the fingers are designed to engage upon opposite sides of each strand entering the junction point and in close proximity thereto, to insure accurate and predetermined alignment of these strands adjacent the welded area. It will be evident that owing to the tapered formation of the positioning fingers or members, slight mis-alignment of the strands is corrected upon movement of the welding electrodes into operative position. Obviously, alteration of the pattern or change in the location and character of the strands requires re-arrangement of the positioning fingers. As indicated in the drawings, a portion of the fingers may be mounted upon the upper bar and cooperating fingers on the lower bar, preferably the series of fingers on the upper bar engaging one side of the strands and cooperating fingers on the lower bar, the opposite sides of the strands so that each strand is accurately positioned and aligned with respect to thecommon intersection. With this construction, therefore, insurance of a predetermined point of intersection of the strands is had both prior to and during welding engagement.

Current may be conducted to the separate electrodes in any suitable manner, as through an insulated cable, indicated generally at 222, which is connected in any suitable manner with the individual electrodes. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the passage of current to and from the welding electrodes may be accurately controlled by suitable form of commutating device properly timed in synchronism with the operation of the machine. In the present case, such a commutating device will serve to deliver current the instant that welding engagement is established with the strands, and automatically cut ofi the current at a predetermined time thereafter. This commutating device may be driven from any integral part of the machine, as the shaft 122.

The strands are preferably guided to the welding electrodes and maintained in proper relationship thereto by cooperating guide rolls 52 and 54, mounted in close proximity to the electrodes and in advance thereof. The lower guide roll 52, as shown in Fig. 3, is provided with a helical groove 56 for guiding one set of diagonal strands. The upper guide roll 54 is provided with a helical guide groove 58 for guiding a second set of diagonal strands extending in the opposite direction, and with annular guide grooves 60 for maintaining and guiding a third set ofstrands extending longitudinally of the pattern. B y virtue of this construction one or more sets of diagonal strands are maintained in a predetermined diagonal relationship while progressively Worked into the pattern. As will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 3 taken in conjunction with Figs. 9 and 10, it will be evident that as the guide rolls are rotated intermittently a series of diagonal strands engaged at spaced intervalswith the helical grooves in the guide rolls will be progressively advanced longitudinally and at the same time that portion of the strand in contact with the groove which is conveniently termed the guiding point of the strand is traversed across the fabric due to the helical character of the grooves. The two guide rolls 52 and 54 are rotated intermittently and in unison to advance the multiple sets of strands engaged thereby into operative position between the welding electrodes, and to maintain the strands stationary during the period of the welding operation. To this end the two guide rolls are rotated by intermeshing gears 62 and 64, shown in Fig. 3, the gear 64 being mounted upon a shaft 66 which carries a ratchet wheel 68 at its outer end. This ratchet 68 is intermittently advanced through a pawl 70 carried upon an arm 72, which is oscillated in the proper timed relation through a connecting rod 7 4 operatively engaged at its lower end by a lever 76 having a roll 7 8 which engages with a peripheral cam 80. Continuous rotation of the cam 80 imparts the desired, intermittent advancing movement to the guide rolls 52 and 54. The

pattern of diagonally arranged strands, after its passage between the welding electrodes, may be advanced between closely spaced distance, members 84 and 86, extending transversely of the machine on opposite sides of the path of feed of the pattern, and may be thereafter engaged by a registering mechanism comprising essentially supporting rods 100 and a transverse channel member 102 positioned below the rods and providing an open trough for positioning and registering fingers 104 projecting downwardly from the transverse bar 106. This bar is supported at opposite ends in brackets 108 mounted upon each of the connecting rods 34. It will be evident'that upon downward movement of the connecting rods, the fingers 104 engage in the mesh of the pattern and insure proper registration of the pattern throughout its width. The provision of the channel 102 permits the registering fingers to pass downwardly through the pattern, which is supported in close proximity to the fingers through the opposite edges ofthe channel. After passing through the registration devices, the fabric, if so desired, may be wound upon a receiving roll 115 which is flexibly driven through a belt 120 from the cam. shaft 122. Under certain conditions it may be desirable to continuously separate the pattern in a lengthwise direction in the one or more narrow strips. To this end cooperating shears are detachably mounted upon the upper and lower crossheads 18 and 20, the shears being indicated respectively at 130 and 132. During the intermittent guiding and feeding of diagonal and longitudinal strands, it may be desirable to insert spaced strandsextending transversely of the pattern. For this purpose the apparatus is provided with upper and lower strand-guiding rolls 140 and 142, as shown in Fig. 1. These rolls are located opposite an entrance opening 144 formed in the side frame 10, which is in alignment with the cooperating electrode members, a cross-strand thus inserted being located automatically in position to be engaged between cooperating electrode teeth when the latter are moved together. The insertion of the cross-strand is accomplished automatically by moving the guide rolls 14.0 and 142 into operative relation at predetermined intervals. To this end the lower guide roll 142 is continuously rotated through a flexible belt 144 driven from a lower pulley 146. The upper roll 140 is moved into and out of operative relation to the lower roll by a connecting rod 148 slidingly supported in a bracket 150 engaged at its lower end by a peripheral cam 152 driven through intermeshing gears 154 and 156. The cam 152 may be so designed that a cross-strand would be inserted in timed relation to each reciprocation of the welding electrodes or only during rolls 140 and. 142, ample slack being impart:

ed to the strand between the two sets'ofg uide fill rolls in order to tarnish suficient material for the insertion of the strand between the Welding electrodes. Alter insertion, the cross-strand is severed during the movement of the welding electrodes toward one another by cooperating shears 168 and 170.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that a pattern of the type produced in Fig. ll, consisting of two sets of diagonal strands, will normally have successive points of intersection staggered with relation to one an other, which would usually require relative lateral movement of the guide rolls and electrodes for successive "Welds. F or the purpose of imparting such a relative movement, it may he convenient for the guide rolls 5?; and 54, as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and i, to he given an intermittent sideu'ise movement in timed relation to the operation of the machine. il or this purpose an operating lever 230 is pivoted at 232 and operated intermittently hy a rotating lace 'lhis lever, at its upper free end, is connected with a sliding her 236, which in turn is connected with the two rolls adjacent their driven ends in such a manner that oscillatory w movement of the lever imparts aerial movement to the rolls, causing a hodily shiftor the pattern in a manner to cause successive. intersections to be aligned with the Welding electrodes. The lower end ot the lever 230 is maintained in contact with the cam by a spring 238, and the cam is continuously rotated by a chain driven from the main shaft of the machine. a

As an alternative to this method of procedure, it will heunderstood that in some instances rvelding of successive intersections ma v omitted. and the pattern Welded mercly throughout aligned intersections in a lengthwise direction.

Upon reference to Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, certain of the patterns capable of production in an apparatus of this type are disclosed.

Fig; 8 illustrates a fabric consisting or" tvvo sets ol diagonal strands, indicated respectively at 390 and 302., cooperating with a third set oil cross or warp strands. indicated at Sit). the Warp strands intersecting the diagonals intermediate the points or intersection ot the diagonals. and the strands being connected and maintained in permanently assembled relation hy welded areas extending through the points oi intersection of the diagonals and the cross strands. successive points of intersection, as indicated. heing aligned.

The pattern shown in Fig. 9 is of a somewhat ditl'erent torm comprising two sets of diagonals 300 and 302. cooperating with a series of longitudinal strands 312, intersecting the diagonals at the common points of intersection of the diagonals. In this type of pattern the strands are maintained in assembled relation by welded areas extended teeaiai common points of intersection with the. diagonals and cross or .n'eft strands, these strands being united by welded areas at the common points of intersection.

lit will he evident that although the present invention discloses the permanent uniting of the strands at points of intersection by the.

formationot Welded areas, nevertheless it is Within the scope of the invention to bond the strands atpoints of intersection by brazing or similar expedients involving the princi ples of the invention.

ll'hat is claimed is: v

1. Apparatus for the production oi? open, metallic patterns comprising cooperating Welding electrodes, means for locating in operative position between the electrodes complementary strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, means for intermittently moving the electrodes into operative position to bond the strands at the point of intersection lying therebetiveen, and

means tor advancing the strands While main taining a predetermined relationship to present ncivpoints intersection hetvveen the electrodes during the intervals separating successive operative engagement of the electrodes.

2. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising a series oi cooperating electrodes means for locating in operative position between the electrodes complementary strands extending diagonallj, with relation to one another, means for intermittently and simultaneously moving the electrodes into operative position to bond the strands at points of intersection lying hettveen each two complementary electrodes, and means foradvancing the strands while maintaining a predetermined relationship to present new points ot intersection between the electrodes during the intervals separating successive operating engagements of the electrodes.

3. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns. comprising cooperating welding electrodes, oppositely disposed crossheads supporting the electrodes. means for intermittently moving the crossheads toward and from one another to move the electrodes into and out of operative relation, and means for advancing a plurality of strands lltl ltl)

arranged in diagonal relationship into operative position with points ot intersection of the strands aligned with complementary electrodes and for maintaining the strands in a predetermined position during welding engagement.

a Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising cooperating welding electrodes, oppositely disposed crossheads supporting the electrodes, means for intermittently moving the crossheads toward and from one another to move the electrodes into and outlet operative relation, means for advancing a plurality of strands arranged in diagonal relationship into operative position with points of intersection of the strands aligned with complementary electrodes, and positioning means associated with the welding electrodes and in proximity thereto for engaging with the strands and maintaining an accurate position of the strands prior to and during welding engage-- ment.

5. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising means for intermittently advancing a plurality of intersecting strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, and cooperating electrodes for engaging and bonding the strands so advanced at points of intersection during the interval between advancing movements, and positioning means assoclated with the electrodes for engaging and accurately positioning the strands adjacent the points of intersection and prior to and during operativeengagement of the electrode.

6. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising cooperating welding electrodes, oppositely disposed crossheads supporting the electrodes, means for moving the crossheads toward and from one another, means for positioning the series of intersecting strands with points of intersection of the strands located between the electrodes, and means mounted on the crossheads in proximity to the electrodes engaging the strands sopositioned and insuring accurate location of the strands when engaged by the electrodes.

7. Apparatus for the productionof open, metallic patterns, comprising cooperating welding electrodes, means for guiding a pattern of intersecting strands diagonally arranged with relation to one another to operative position between the electrodes, means for intermittently operating the electrodes and guide means in timed relation to one another. and means for causing a relative lateral shift of the pattern and electrodes in a manner to stagger the position of the elec trodes with respect to the pattern upon successive welds.

8. Apparatus for the production of open,

metallic patterns, comprising cooperating welding electrodes, a grooved guide roll for guiding and feeding diagonally arranged strands to the'welding electrodes, means for intermittently operating the guide roll, means for intermittently operating the welding electrodes in timed relation thereto, and means for accurately positioning the strands so delivered to the welding electrodes by the guide roll.

9. Apparatus for the production of ppen, metallic patterns comprising cooperating electrodes, grooved guide members delivering a series of diagonally arranged strands to the electrodes, means for operating the guide members and electrodes in timedtrelation, and means engaging with the pattern beyond the electrodes anddesigned to align and regulate the feed of the pattern through engagement with the mesh thereof.

10. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising oppositely disposed crossheads, a series of welding electrodes mounted on each crosshead for yield ing movement with relation thereto, means for insulating the electrodes from the crosshead, and means for normally maintaining the electrodes in an outer operative position,"

11. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising cooperating electrodes, means for intermittently moving the electrodes toward and from one another, 

